Tea with Gary Barlow, card tricks with street magician Dynamo and that all important hen night: How the 21-year-old woman dying from cancer who captured the nation's heart is fulfilling her final dreams

A young cancer patient whose plight touched the hearts of the nation is well on the way to completing her final wishes, which included meeting her idol Gary Barlow.

Stephanie Knight, 21, has been bravely battling bone cancer since
she was 17-years-old but learned on New Year's Day this year that her
condition is now terminal.

So she drew up a list of things she would like to do both for herself and her family in the months before she dies.

They varied from having a fake hen night and visiting the seaside with her nearest and dearest.

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Crossed off the list: Stephanie fulfilling one of her dreams of meeting Take That's Gary Barlow, who dropped in for a cup of tea and a sing song

Her story inspired MailOnline readers and hundreds got in touch to offer their support and offer what help they could.

Now, just one month on, the nursery nurse from Hertfordshire has achieved more than she ever thought was possible.

'It has been really overwhelming,' she told MailOnline.

'Sometimes I'm afraid to smile because I know I will just cry with happiness!'

A fortnight ago she had the rather surreal experience of having Gary Barlow singing in her living room in Braughing, Hertfordshire. The pop star had dropped in for a cup of tea and an impromptu sing song after hearing about Stephanie's story from his friend Amanda Holden.

Steph's sister, Rachael Cross, 31, told MailOnline: 'It was amazing. Gary was so normal and
down to earth. He asked Steph what she had been up to and gave her baby nephew a cuddle.

'We
told him that he needed to sing otherwise we wouldn't let him leave! He
agreed but only after we said we'd sing the chorus of Back to Good with
him.

'He had a cuppa and stayed for just under an hour. Steph was so happy,
especially as she knew both her big sisters were such massive Take That
fans!'

His kind-hearted bandmate Robbie Williams is currently in Los Angeles, but he sent a special note and photo to Steph after he was contacted by Sarah, Duchess of York.

Rite of passage: Steph with two of the 'Dreamboys' who made cocktails at her fake hen do

Steph with the magician Dynamo (l) who showed her some card tricks, and a message from Robbie Williams

The Duchess also sent a big basket of goodies for Steph's 'fake' hen night at the local pub, as well as a framed photo of a sunset she had taken in Greece. Her office is helping Steph's family to set up their own charity.

'She's been so good to me,' Steph said.

'We're hoping to meet up soon and I owe her some big thank yous.'

One of Steph's favourite days was enjoying a 'typical drunken night out' at the Ice Bar in London. They were treated like VIPs by the manager with free cocktails and a photographer on hand.

'It was a really great experience. I felt well that day, which was unusual as I often have to escape to have a rest,' Steph said.

Another experience she enjoyed was meeting the Tottenham Hotspur football team - because she loves being able to treat her family.

'My brother Lloyd has been a Tottenham fan since he was little. He's 25 but he turned into a hormonal teenager when he met them!' she said.

'I loved watching his reactions. We got to see the team training and then speak to them afterwards.

'AVB (the manager Andre Villas Boas) gave Lloyd his jacket and whistle, which was a huge deal.'

Footballer Jermain Defoe said: 'It was great for us
to meet Stephanie. She is an inspirational person and, when we saw that
meeting us was on her wish list, we were determined to make that happen.'

Support from Tottenham: Steph pictured with (from right to left) Jermain Defoe and Scott Parker, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Tom Huddlestone, William Gallas, Michael Dawson and Kyle Naughton

Messages of support from Sarah, Duchess of York, who was hoping to meet Steph soon

Steph on her 18th birthday with her brother Lloyd (left) and in remission in 2011 at her niece's christening

Stephanie has remained positive despite having trouble breathing and having to rely on a wheelchair after having a leg amputated due to the cancer. She is on a medication drip and is in nearly constant pain.

'It is difficult, for instance trying to get around the shops and having people who won't move for you,' Steph admitted.

'But now so many people have been coming up to me and saying they've read about my story and how inspirational I am.'

Her mother Cindy, 58, told MailOnline: 'Steph has been overwhelmed with the attention. Some days she will cry when she receives a kind message. She says: "I'm just the luckiest girl in the world." And I say to her: "but Steph, you have cancer and you're going to die." And she replies: "yes, but look at my life right now."

'She has always wanted very little and likes to help others. She has been emailing a girl in Northern Ireland, who sent her a thoughtful gift despite going through a tough time herself. This girl says Steph has taught her so much.'

Steph has also ticked off other wishes including meeting the magician Dynamo who amazed her with his card tricks and completing her childcare qualifications.

Favourite day out: Steph, pictured with her parents, loved visiting the IceBar in London for a 'drunken night out'

It's magic: Dynamo showed off a number of card tricks and managed to guess which card Steph was thinking of

Mrs Knight said: 'Steph has been teaching as a nursery nurse nearby. It's what she's wanted to do from the age of 11.

'She does one-to-ones helping them
with their reading and writing. She is often given the more challenging
ones as she has a way with her that they really respond to. Spending time in the school makes her feel normal.'

Another rite of passage Steph has now
experienced was her own fake hen night, replete with 44 female friends
and family and some topless waiters.

Mrs Knight said: 'It went really well and everyone was saying the next day that it was the best
one they had ever been to.

'The
Dreamboys were fabulous, they sent two lovely guys who looked after us
all night long and served us cocktails and did a show. We had special
T-shirts printed and played lots of silly games.'

Steph wrote on Facebook: 'I would like to thank Deb and all her staff that put
on a great night and for everyone that came to my no hen hen do i had a
fantastic time and without crying i love you all so much and i don't
know what i'd do without you x x x.'

Steph receiving a manicure from former TOWIE star Amy Childs

Steph and two friends with a basket of hen do goodies

Steph is currently receiving chemotherapy at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge. She and her family will be given a timeline of how her condition will progress in April but for now they have been told to do things from the list as soon as possible.

So on Saturday Steph is going to London to see the musical Wicked and is meeting Ben Freeman, who plays the lead Fiyero, for afternoon tea.

Next
week she, her mother and friend Lily, are going to Lifehouse Spa Hotel in Essex. They are also planning a trip to Westfield with a personal shopper and a family holiday to Chichester thanks to an anonymous gift from a premiership footballer.

Mrs Knight said: 'It's important for us that no matter how long Steph has left she fills each day with things that make her happy.

'But I am a parent and when I go to bed I do think about how one day our life will be so different without her.

'I'm so very proud of her. She is remarkable in every way.'

FROM SEASIDE TO SUNSET: STEPHANIE'S BUCKET LIST

To go on a holiday with all my family - where we can all be together and be alone - with dogs

Go to the sea side - 2p machines with friends and family esp Nieces and nephews

To jump out of an aeroplane strapped to an instructor

Complete my childcare qualification

To laugh until I cry or my body hurts

Watching the sunset in the most beautiful of places

To watch Britain got talent and meet Amanda again

Steph would love to to meet Gary Barlow or Robbie Williams and wants her sister to share the treats

To have spa days and a girls spa weekend

To have a hen night

To make someone’s cancer experience slightly happier to get through

Take my sister niece and mum to see Wicked at the theatre

Big shopping spree

Afternoon tea

Cocktail nights

Steph met Gary Barlow and received a special message from Robbie Williams

To get my sister to be able to meet Gary Barlow or Robbie Williams

Make full use of cinema card (stop wasting money lol)

'Normal' drunken night at the pub

Fireworks

To be able to drive again

Be able to go to work

To meet Dynamo (the street magician)

Concerts

Too have a shopping centre all too our selves me - the family - and friends